Additive structure for vacuum operated liquid-fill bottles

ABSTRACT

Structure providing for the addition of a foam reducing additive into the body-fluid flow of a sealed, self-contained, vacuum operated aspiration system. The customary vacuum bottle is supplied, proximate its fluid inlet, with an additive connection or structure communicating with the interior of the liquid feedin line such that as liquid is drawn in under the influence of a reduced pressure within the vacuum bottle, the additive will likewise be drawn in, generally in proportional amounts. Many embodiments are suggested such as an additive bottle connection leading to a coupling elbow, an additive bottle teed into the body-fluid line, an additive bottle including a line-puncture cannula needle, and so forth. By the structure, either atmospheric pressure directly on the additive liquid or on the sides of a collapsible container thereof is relied upon to produce the pressure necessary to introduce and sustain introduction of additive into the feed-in line.

United States Patent Holbrook 1 Apr. 16, 1974 [5 ADDlTIVE STRUCTURE FOR VACUUM 3,468,308 9/1969 Bierman l28/2l4 F OPERATED LIQUID-FILL BOTTLES [75] Inventor: Le Grand K. Holbrook, Salt Lake Primary Examiner-Charles Rosenbaum City, Utah [73] Assignee: Medical Development Corporation, ABSTRACT Salt Lake Utah Structure providing for the addition of a foam reduc [22] Fil d; M 8, 1972 ing additive into the body-fluid flow of a sealed, selfcontained, vacuum operated aspiration system. The [21] Appl zsllls customary vacuum bottle is supplied, proximate its fluid inlet, with an additive connection or structure [52] U5. Cl. 128/276 at ng with the interior of the q id feed-in [51] Int. Cl A61'm 1/00 line Such that as qu is drawn in under the influence [58] Field of Search 128/DIG, 3, 275, 276-278, of a reduced pressure within the vacuum bottle, the

128/295, 348-350, 227-229 additive will likewise be drawn in, generally in proportional amounts. Many embodiments are suggested [5 6] References Cit d such as an additive bottle connection leading to acou- STATES PATENTS pling elbow, an additive bottle teed into the body-fluid line, an additive bottle including a line-puncture cannula needle, and so forth. By the structure, either at- 2:804:075 8/1957 Borden I I i 28/277 mospheric pressure directly on the additive liquid or 3513329 5/1970 Deuschle et 128/276 on the sides of a collapsible container thereof is relied 3,542,031 ll/l970 Taylor l 128/276 p to Produce the Pressure necessary to introduce 3,626,928 12/ 1971 Brody et al. 128/278 and sustain introduction of additive into the feed-in 3,699,964 10/1972 Ericson 128/275 line 3,513,849 5/1970 Vaillancourt et al. 128/349 R 2,769,445 1 H1956 13 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures Morgavi, Jr 128/278 PATENTEDAPR 18 1914 $804,090

VACUUM PUMP ADDITIVE STRUCTURE FOR VACUUM OPERATED LIQUID-FILL BOTTLES The present invention relates to aspiration fluid collection systems and, more particularly, to a vacuum pump operated system including a vacuum bottle and a fluid inlet provided with an additive bottle connection.

During operative and post-operative procedures, it is desirous and sometimes essential to use aspiration equipment. Aspiration equipment conventionally includes a vacuum bottle operated by a vacuum pump and having a feed-in line leading to the patient and connected to the fluid intake port of the vacuum bottle. Negative pressure as is produced by the vacuum pump within the bottle causes a flow of liquid from the patient through the inlet port of the bottle, and the bottle continues to fill until the vacuum pump is either shut off or appropriate valving means actuate.

Body-fluid may comprise any one of a number of liquids but generally includes blood that may foam when the same is drawn into the vacuum bottle. This prevents accurate reading of the contents and oftentimes chances a communication of foam directly toward the vacuum pump, an undesired result; as a consequence, it is desirous of reducing foam of the collected liquid within the vacuum bottle to a minimum. For this purpose a number of chemical preparations have been made one of which is known as DB-l l anti-foam manufactured by the Dow-Corning Corporation. A direct problem is presented, of course, as to how to introduce the liquid anti-foaming agent into the closed, vacuum operated system without breaking vacuum.

The present inventor'has solved this problem by incorporating a bottle and bottle connection for antifoam agent to the incoming line leading to the fluid admittance port of the bottle.

In one form of the invention there is provided a connection such as an elbow, by way of example, leading from the fluid inlet port of the bottle to the flexible tube running to the patient. The elbow includes an aperture designed to secure in erect position an additive bottle having a small, outlet aperture. The additive bottle may have collapsible walls such that outside atmospheric pressure will aid in the maintaining flow of the additive into the elbow orother connection so long as a vacuum condition exists within the bottle and tube. It is noted that this reduced pressure is maintained even though liquid body-fluid is running in spirts through the oncoming line.

Other embodiments of the invention include bottles having a teed-in connection, leading to a bottle having an atmospheric pressure opening leading into the bottle or providing a collapsible side wall for the bottle. Further embodiments show an additive bottle construction being clamped or otherwise secured to the incoming hose, with the bottle provided with'a cannula puncture device wherein the tube can be punctured and clamped or otherwise held in place. In the latter embodiment, there is provided a base aperture for a tube leading into the bottle such that the bottle may be operative, whether inverted or erect.

Accordingly. the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved vacuumoperated aspiration system incorporating a closed antifoam additive structural feature.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improvement in aspiration systems wherein an additive bottle may be coupled to inlet structure leading to the inlet port of a conventional aspiration bottle.

A further object is to provide for an end-fitting connection leading to the fluid inlet port of an aspiration bottle, and being coupled thereto, and providing for connection thereto of an additive container.

An additional object is to provide in an aspiration system an additive container that can be temporarily punctured by a fitting of the container and'held'in place such that the contents of the container are readily available for introduction into the feed-in line of the system.

A further object is to provide for a vacuum-operated aspiration system an additive bottle having suitable tubular structure appropriately apertured such that the vacuum bottle may be made operative in both erect and inverted positions.

- A further object of the invention is to provide an additive bottle which can be clamped or otherwise secured to the feed-in liquid line of an aspiration system.

The features of the present invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of an aspiration system as contemplated by the present invention.

FIG. 2A is an enlarged detail taken along the arcuate line 2-2 in FIG. 1, illustrating in a first embodiment of the invention the matter in which an end-fitting may be supplied the fluid inlet port of the aspiration bottle so as to accommodate an additive container.

FIG. 2Al is an enlarged fragmentary section of the structure in FIG. 2A, illustrating the manner of communication of the interior of the additive bottle with the interior of the fitting provided.

FIG. 2B is a view of another embodiment of the invention wherein the bottle containing the additive is provided with a feed-tube and a cannula needle, the latter designed to penetrate the feed-in line of the aspira tion system and to be clamped into place by the clamp shown.

FIG. 2C is similar to FIG. 2B but illustrates how an elastomeric means such as a rubber band can be used to clamp the feed-in line to the bottle structure.

FIG. 2D is similar to FIGS. 2B and 2C, illustrating that the subject bottle of FIGS. 28 and 2C may be inverted such that the bottle is disposed downwardly instead of upwardly as in the latter figures.

FIG. 2E represents another embodiment of the invention and is a fragmentary view illustrating that a depending bottle operated by atmospheric pressure pressing against the interior liquid may be used to supply the additive by virtue of the vacuum produced in the feedin line leading to the fluid inlet port of the container.

FIG. 2F is a view of a container similar to that shown in FIG. 2E, but illustrates that the container may be made thin-walled and collapsible such that external atmospheric pressure is operative to progressively reduce the interior volume of the bottle and hence exert a pressure upon the contents thereof as the emptying of the bottle proceeds under the influence of the reduced pressure of the aspiration system.

In FIG. 1 aspiration fluid collection bottle is shown to include a container 11 provided with sealing lid 12. The latter includes fluid admittance port 13 and vacuum port 14, both of which are provided with central apertures, not shown. Conduit 15 connects vacuum port 14 to vacuum pump 16. Elongate aspiration conduit 17 connects to fluid admittance port 13 and leads to an end fitting, not shown, usable by the patient or medical personnel therefor.

The operation of the structure in FIG. 1 is as follows. Vacuum pump 16 produces a negative pressure in conduit 15 and within the container 11. Since the lid 12 is releasably sealed to the latter, the reduced or negative pressure within the collection bottle 10 will suck or draw body fluid from patient P through aspiration conduit 17, this owing to the increased atmospheric pressure of ambient air present at the patient area.

It is desirous that the entire system, from the aspiration end of conduit 17 be'self-contained and sealed. It may well be that medical personnel may wish to introduce an additive A into the aspiration conduit 17 so as to mix with the aspiration fluid carried thereby. For example, certain chemicals, such as a chemical preparation known as DB-l l0 Antifoam, manufactured by the .Dow Corning Corporation, are useful to reduce the froth of the aspiration fluid and permit the same to be read or monitored more easily as the same is drawn into collection bottle 10. The problem, hence, is one of providing suitable structure such that an additive fluid, as contained by an additive container 17A in FIG. 2A for example, can be introduced conveniently and effectively into the aspiration conduit line 17 without breaking the seal or opening up a line. Accordingly, various details taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and illustrated in various subsequent figures, indicate various structures within the context of the invention that can be employed to provide the necessary additive feature.

Thus, in FIG. 2A the fluid admittance port 13 is provided with an elbow-fitting 18 to which extremity 19 thereof is connected the aspiration conduit 17. Elbow 18 is provided with an aperture 20 of which, with plug 21 removed, see FIG. 2A-1, provides an opening for the reception of end fitting 22 of additive container 17A. Additive container may contain as integral or pressed-together separate parts the container envelope 23, made of thin deformable polyethylene, and provided with an intermediate fitting 24. In such event the intermediate fitting is contoured at 24' as shown to provide for the threaded or other reception of end fitting 22. Opening 25' is small, approximately that of a 20 gauge needle.

In the structure shown in FIGS. 2A and 2A-l it is essential that the container or container envelope 23 be deformable. This is to say, the outside atmosphere will be relied upon to gradually collapse the additive container as fluid therefrom is withdrawn.

In operation as to' FIGS. 2A and 2A-1, taken in conjunction with FIG. 1, the vacuum pump 16 produces a negative pressure in aspiration conduit 17. This applies equally to fluid admittance port 13 and elbow 18. It is this vacuum which permits the additive A within container 17A to be drawn inwardly into elbow 18 to be admixed with the incoming aspiration fluid. Accordingly, the pressure of ambient air external to additive container 17A tends to collapse inwardly the resilient deformable additive container 17A at its wall or envelope 23 so as to tend to exude the fluid into elbow 18. The greater the additive opening at 25' relative to cross-sectional area, the greater the flow rate of the additive into elbow 18. As the admixture, comprising the aspiration fluid and additive liquid, is drawn into elbow l8 and dropped into container 11 via fluid admittance port 13, the less will be the foaming or frothing which may be objectionable. correspondingly, the greater the vacuum produced within the container 11, the more aspiration fluid and additive will be drawn therein.

FIG. 2B illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein additive container 17A is this time provided with an end fitting 27 interiorly threaded at 28 to receive the exteriorly threaded nipple end 29 of the container. A seat 30 is concavely configured and receives aspiration conduit 17. A cannula needle 31 is bonded or pressed into opening 32 of fitting 27 and is constructed for selective penetration of and central tip positioning within aspiration conduit 17. Where the latter is made of conventional polyvinylchloride tubing or polyethylene tubing, the needle 31 can be withdrawn and yet the tubing will self-seal at the penetration opening 33. Needle 31 is provided with tube 34 pressed thereover, the latter having an aperture 35. The'inclusion of aperture 35 is to provide for drainage of additive fluid whether the bottle is inverted, as in FIG. 2B, or is in a reverse vertical position. Clamp 36 includes a pair of ears 37, pivoted by pivot pin 38. The clamp 36 is provided with a conventional spring 39 constructed and arranged to keep the clamp disposed against the outer periphery B of tube 17, this to insure a retained penetrative engagement as between needle 31 and tube 17.

FIG. 2C is similar to the structure in FIG. 2B with the exception that, in lieu of clamp 36, there may be provided simply an elastomeric loop or rubber-band 40 disposed over ears 41 and engaging tube 17.

In the structure of FIGS. 28 and 2C the additive container or bottle 17A is made of polyethylene or polyvinylchloride and is collapsible by external air pressure upon the application of a vacuum proximate the tip T of the cannula. FIG. 2D illustrates the structure of FIG. 28 when inverted and when the cannula 31 is piercing aspiration conduit 17. Thus, it is seen that the additive container may be disposed vertically, either upside down or right side up. The opening 0 may comprise simply a slit in tube 42, corresponding to tube 34 in FIG. 2B, wherein the slit 0 operates as a flapper valve.

In FIG. 2E the container 11 of the aspiration fluid collection bottle 10 is now provided with an aspiration conduit 17B. The same leads to aspiration conduit 17, see also FIG. 1, via tee 43. Tee 43 is provided with a depending tube 44 which depends into the interior of container 45. The latter may be threaded into or otherwise sealingly engage cap portion 46 of tee 43. The depending leg 47 of the tee includes a central aperture 48 for receiving tube 44 and an air vent, 49, for admitting outside atmosphere to press downwardly upon additive liquid 50. The same, of course, will be forced upwardly via atmospheric pressure through tube 44 and into the aspiration fluid line (17, 17B) upon the application of vacuum to container 10.

In the absence of the inclusion of air vent 49 for admitting external atmospheric pressure, the bottle 45 may be made collapsible as at 45A in FIG. 2F. In such event, outside atmospheric pressure will be relied upon to collapse the bottle and hence force fluid upwardly through tube 44 into tee 43.

In operation of all of the embodiments of the invention, it will be noted that aspiration fluid and the additive will be drawn into container 11 solely when a vacuum is applied. Further, assuming a single, uniform, non-metered opening as at 25 entering into the aspiration line, it will be noted that the proportion of additive to aspiration fluid will remain constant despite variations of negative pressure. The precludes the necessity of metering the opening of the additive into the vacuum line of the system. Finally, both fluid flow of aspiration fluid and liquid additive are increased proportionately as the negative pressure produced within container 11 by vacuum pump 16 is increased.

While it is true that an external vent, as at 49, may be provided with structure it is eminently preferable to retain the structure as a closed system and rely solely upon the progressive collapse of the additive container by external atmospheric pressure as vacuum operation of the system proceeds. It is most important to note that various ones of the containers may be upright or inverted, this by provision of aperture 0, as in FIG. 2D, designed to accommodate complete drainage of fluid whether the bottle is inverted or not.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art the various changes and modifications which may be made without departing from the essential features of the present invention and, therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, avacuum pump coupled to said vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid anti-foam additive container is provided and is teed medially to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle.

2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said additive container includes deformable walls collapsible under atmospheric pressure as aspiration by said system proceeds.

3. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, a vacuum pump coupled to said vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid additive container is provided and is laterally connected to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle, said additive container including a container member having an end portion, a cannula needle disposed through said end portion, and a tubular extension integral with said cannula needle and extending upwardly into the interior of said container.

4. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said tubu-.

lar extension comprises a separate tube having a side wall aperture proximate the connection region of said needle and said tubular extension.

5. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said tubular extension includes a side wall aperture proximate said end portion of said container. v

6. The structure of claim 3 wherein said container includes a seat for receiving said conduit, and means for retaining said conduit in said seat, said needle piercing said conduit such that said needle is in communication with the interior of said conduit.

7. In a body-fluid'aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, a vacuum pump coupled to said vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid additive container is provided and is laterally connected to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vac-uum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle, said system including an end junction fitting interconnecting said fluid port with said conduit, said junction fitting including as aperture dimensioned toreceive oper ative connection of said container thereto.

8. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said container includes clamping means for releasably clamping said conduit to said end portion, said container being constructed for communications with said conduit.

9. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, a vacuum pump coupled to saidvacuum-port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid additive container is provided and is laterally connected to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby,-when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle, said system including a tee intercoupling said fluid inlet port with said conduit, said additive container being laterally connected to said tee.

10. In a vacuum-operated aspiration-system, in combination, an additive container for said aspiration system and a fluid aspiration conduit, said container including a bottle member having collapsible walls, an end portion integral with said bottle member, a cannula needle disposed through said end portion and constructed for piercing saidconduit, and'clamping means releasably clamping said conduit transversely to said endportion in a manner suchthat said cannula needle transversely pierces said conduit at a wall section thereof and is disposed in operative communication with the interior of said conduit.

11. In a body-fluid'aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum,

port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein said fluid inlet port includes'an exterior fitting having a closable opening, and

an anti-foaming agent container communicatively releasably engaging said fitting at said opening whereby, whena vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said conduit for introducing an anti-foaming agent in the fluid stream present in said fluid conduit via negative pressure thereat, whereby to mimimize foaming of said fluid in said container.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said fluid conduit includes a rearward end coupled to said fluid inlet port and also a forward end, said means being coupled to the combination of said fluid conduit and said fluid inlet port at a point remote from said fluid conduit forward end. 

1. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, a vacuum pump coupled to said vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid anti-foam additive container is provided and is teed medially to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle.
 2. The structure of claim 1 wherein said additive container includes deformable walls collapsible under atmospheric pressure as aspiration by said system proceeds.
 3. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, a vacuum pump coupled to said vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid additive container is provided and is laterally connected to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle, said additive container including a container member having an end portion, a cannula needle disposed through said end portion, and a tubular extension integral with said cannula needle and extending upwardly into the interior of said container.
 4. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said tubular extension comprises a separate tube having a side wall aperture proximate the connection region of said needle and said tubular extension.
 5. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said tubular extension includes a side wall aperture proximate said end portion of said container.
 6. The structure of claim 3 wherein said container includes a seat for receiving said conduit, and means for retaining said conduit in said seat, said needle piercing said conduit such that said needle is in communication with the interior of said conduit.
 7. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, a vacuum pump coupled to said vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid additive container is provided and is laterally connected to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle, said system including an end junction fitting interconnecting said fluid port with said conduit, said junction fitting including as aperture dimensioned to receive operative connection of said container thereto.
 8. Structure according to claim 3 wherein said container includes clamping means for releasably clamping said conduit to said end portion, said container being constructed for communications with said conduit.
 9. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, a vacuum pump coupled to said vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein a fluid additive container is provided and is laterally connected to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said aspiration conduit whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said aspiration container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle, said system including a tee intercoupling said fluid inlet port with said conduit, said additive container being laterally connected to said tee.
 10. In a vacuum-operated aspiration system, in combination, an additive container for said aspiration system and a fluid aspiration conduit, said container including a bottle member having collapsible walls, an end portion integral with said bottle member, a cannula needle disposed through said end portion and constructed for piercing said conduit, and clamping means releasably clamping said conduit transversely to said end portion in a manner such that said cannula needle transversely pierces said conduit at a wall section thereof and is disposed in operative communication with the interior of said conduit.
 11. In a body-fluid aspiration system including a liquid-fill bottle having a fluid inlet port and a vacuum port, and aspiration conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port: an improvement wherein said fluid inlet port includes an exterior fitting having a closable opening, and an anti-foaming agent container communicatively releasably engaging said fitting at said opening whereby, when a vacuum is applied by said vacuum pump to said bottle and said aspiration conduit, contents of said container will be drawn into the stream of aspirated fluid, to be mixed therewith prior to entrance of both into the interior of said bottle.
 12. A body fluid aspiration system including, in combination, a vacuum-operated fluid collection bottle having as interior, a fluid inlet port, and a vacuum connection port; a vacuum pump coupled to said vacuum connection port; an elongate, aspirated fluid conduit coupled to said fluid inlet port; and means coupled to the combination of said fluid inlet port and said fluid conduit for introducing an anti-foaming agent in the fluid stream present in said fluid conduit via negative pressure thereat, whereby to mimimize foaming of said fluid in said container.
 13. The system of claim 12 wherein said fluid conduit includes a rearward end coupled to said fluid inlet port and also a forward end, said means being coupled to the combination of said fluid conduit and said fluid inlet port at a point remote from said fluid conduit forward end. 